Mums put my things out in the hallway
Youve bought the wrong flour again! my motherinlaws voice echoed through the whole flat. I told you, topgrade! Topgrade!
Emily stood in the kitchen, a bag of groceries in her hands, trying to keep her cool.
Margaret, they only had the basic flour in the shop. The topgrade wasnt in stock.
Then you should have gone to another shop! Margaret snatched the flour bag. You cant make proper pies with this stuff!
I can. I always bake with the basic sort.
I use the premium one. My pies are Vadims favourite. Yours he just tolerates.
Emily bit her lip, staying silent. She couldnt get worked up today; she was taking her mum to the hospital later, and she needed to stay calm.
Fine, Ill buy the right flour tomorrow.
Tomorrow! Margaret waved her arms. What about today? Are you going to leave my son without pies?
Ill bake with what we have.
No, Ill do it myself. Go rest.
She dramatically tied on her apron and started clearing the dishes. Emily slipped out of the kitchen quietly.
Theyd been living together for six months. Margaret had moved in after breaking her leg. James insisted she couldnt be on her own in that state, promising it would be only a month or two.
Six months later her leg was fine, but Margaret had no intention of moving out. She took over the only bedroom, and Emily and James shifted onto the sofa in the living room. The flat was a twobedroom, and it felt cramped all the time.
Emily checked her phone, saw the time. Mums discharge was at four, they had to be on time. She walked into the sitting room where James was glued to his laptop.
James, Im heading to Mums. Youll be home?
Yeah, Im not going anywhere.
Could you come with me? Shell find it hard to get up alone.
Love, Ive got work. Deadline tomorrow.
Alright, Emily sighed. Ill manage on my own.
She drove to the hospital. Mum looked tired but relieved.
Finally home, she said, packing her things. Ive had enough of these walls.
Mum, how are you feeling?
Okay. Doctors say Im fine. Just need rest and my meds on schedule.
They walked down to the car. Emily helped Mum in, loaded the bags.
Emily, are you sure James isnt upset? I could go to Sarahs, she offered.
Mom, whos Sarah? She lives on the other side of town, three kids of her own. Youll stay with us until youre stronger.
And Margaret?
Emily tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
Mum, this is my flat. Ill buy it before we get married. I invite who I want.
Mum sighed but didnt argue.
Back at the flat, Emily helped Mum up to the fourth floor, unlocked the door and froze at the landing.
In the hallway, right by the entrance, were her things clothes, shoes, cosmetics, books piled in a heap. A few neighbour kids were already rummaging through the boxes.
Whats this? Mum whispered.
Emily walked in silently. Margaret was at the kitchen sink, drying her hands.
Ah, youre back. Grab your stuff, or youll clog the hallway.
You youve put my things out here?
Whats the big deal? Margaret said calmly, looking at her daughterinlaw. I cleared some space. Your mum will be staying, we need somewhere for her.
Margaret, you could have at least told me!
Why bother? You said this is your flat. Deal with it. I just helped tidy the wardrobe.
Emily felt like she might explode.
You threw my personal belongings into the hallway!
I didnt throw them, I moved them. Theres a difference.
What difference? Kids are digging through them, neighbours are staring!
Then take them back quickly.
Mum stood in the entrance, pale.
Emily, maybe I should really go to Sarah
No! Emily turned to her mum. Youre not going anywhere. Lets get your things up and sort this out.
She headed back to the hallway and started gathering her clothes. Her hands trembled with anger and embarrassment. Lydia, the neighbour from the third floor, passed by and looked curious.
What happened, Emily?
All good, Lydia, Emily forced a smile.
She hauled the pile back into the flat. Mum helped, even though it was hard for her. Margaret lounged on the sofa, watching TV as if nothing had happened.
Wheres James? Emily asked.
He went to the shop. Ran out of flour.
Emily took Mum to the former bedroom, now Margarets domain.
Mum, lie down and rest. Ill get you some tea.
Emily, where will I sleep? All this is Margarets stuff.
Mum will move to the lounge. Thatll be my mothers room now.
She walked back to the kitchen. Margaret was already there, a sour look on her face.
How long will your mum stay?
As long as she needs to.
And where do you expect to sleep? On the sofa?
You could go back to your own flat. Your leg healed, youre fine on your feet.
Margarets face hardened.
So youre kicking me out?
Im not kicking anyone out. Im just reminding you that you said youd be here temporarily. Its been six months.
Ah, I see! You can house your own mother, but not mine!
Margaret, you have your own twobedroom flat in Croydon. My mum just had surgery; she needs care.
I need care too! My blood pressure spikes, my heart flutteres!
Then hire a carer.
With what money? My pension is tiny!
With the same money Id use to pay a carer for my mum if you threw her out.
They stared each other down like boxers before a bout. The front door slammed open and James walked in with a bag of flour, grinning.
Hey! Got the flour, he said, stopping short when he saw their faces. Whats going on?
Your mum put my things in the hallway, Emily said flatly.
James looked at his mother.
Mum, is that true?
I just cleared a spot for her mum, Margaret said, putting on an innocent face. Wanted to help.
Helped, Emily sneered. Now the whole hallways talking about how my motherinlaw is driving me out.
Emily, she didnt mean any harm, James tried to smile. She just didnt think.
Didnt think? She dumped my clothes, cosmetics, books! Kids were digging, neighbours were watching! Thats not didnt think, thats humiliation!
Youre exaggerating, James muttered.
What?
Well, Mum just wanted the best.
Emily felt like she might suffocate from rage.
James, seriously? She put my stuff out there and you say Im overreacting?
Emily, dont make a scene. Shes old, its hard for her.
And my mum? Its easy for her? She just had an operation!
Your mum could stay with her sister.
Emily froze.
So youre suggesting we kick my sick mum out so your healthy mum can stay?
Im not suggesting anything. Its just logical your mum has a sister, mine doesnt.
Your mum has her own flat!
The lifts broken, she cant get to the fifth floor.
This place is only four floors, and theres no lift either!
But my mums used to it.
James stared at Emily for a long moment.
Youre on her side.
Im on no ones side. Im just trying to find a compromise.
A compromise means both of us give a little. Youre asking me to give everything.
Margaret jumped in:
James, tell her Im the one who runs this house. Im your mother, shes just the wife. Wives come and go, mothers stay.
Mum, stop, James winced.
What should I stop saying? The truth? I raised you, fed you, supported you! And she just flaunts her flat as an achievement!
Margaret, I bought this flat with my own money, Emily said coldly. Before we married. Its mine.
Oh, its yours? So now youll blame the husband?
Im not blaming anyone. Im stating a fact.
James, do you hear? Shes telling you the flat isnt yours!
Mum, thats enough, James ran a hand over his face, weary. Emily, lets talk tonight when were calmer. Right now were all emotional.
Theres nothing to discuss, Emily said, pulling out her phone. My mum stays. Your mum either moves to the lounge or goes back to her flat.
Emily, dont give ultimatums.
This isnt an ultimatum. Its my condition for living in my own flat.
She walked to the bedroom where her mum lay, eyes closed.
Mum, how are you?
Fine, dear, just a bit of a headache.
Ill get you a pill. Rest now.
Mum, maybe I really should go to Sarahs? I dont want to be the cause of this fight.
Youre not the cause. The cause is the motherinlaw who thinks she runs the place. But this is my flat, and I decide who lives here.
That evening Emily and James collapsed on the sofa in the lounge. Margaret slammed the bedroom door deliberately.
Emily, lets think this through, James tried to hug her, but she pulled away.
Think about what?
Maybe both mums could stay? One in the lounge, one in the bedroom.
And where do we sleep? On the kitchen floor?
Its only temporary, right?
Your mothers been here for six months. How long is temporary?
Another month or two?
No. Either she leaves, or I do.
James shot up, agitated.
Where are you going?
Back to my mums flat. Its cramped too, but at least theres no motherinlaw.
Emily, have you lost it? Were married!
Exactly. Husband and wife. Yet you keep defending your mother and not me.
Im not defending anyone! I just dont want to hurt her!
And what about me? She put my things in the hallway, humiliated me in front of the neighbours, and you say Im overreacting!
Emily, what do you want from me?
I want you on my side. I want you to tell your mum this isnt okay. I want you to protect me.
James fell silent.
Alright. Ill talk to her tomorrow.
Really?
I promise. Ill ask her to move out.
Emily felt a weight lift. Maybe not everything was lost.
The next morning she was woken by shouting from the kitchen. James and Margaret were arguing.
Mum, this isnt up for discussion. You need to go back to your flat.
James, youre kicking me out?
Im not kicking you out. Its just cramped, and you have a place of your own.
But I feel lonely! Scared!
Mum, you lived here fifteen years after your husband died.
But Im getting old! I need support!
Ill visit every week. Help with shopping.
Margaret burst into tears.
You dont love me. You chose your wife over me!
Emily, what does this have to do with you?
Its her, Emily! She brainwashed you! Took my son away!
Emily stepped into the kitchen.
Good morning.
Margaret glared at her.
So youre the homewrecker! Happy? You stole my son!
Margaret, I never took anyone. James is my husband, not your property.
How dare you! Margaret lunged. I gave birth to him, raised him! And you think you can just decide who lives here?
This is my flat. I have the right to decide who lives here.
Youre heartless! Youre kicking an old lady onto the street!
You have a twobedroom flat in Croydon. Youre not homeless.
Its freezing! The radiators barely work!
Call a plumber. Or buy a heater.
With what money? My pension is miserable!
James will help financially, right, love?
James nodded.
Yes, Mum, Ill help.
Margaret sobbed loudly and fled to the bedroom. Emily turned to James.
Thanks.
No problem, he smiled wearily. Youre right. This cant go on.
Margaret spent the next three days in fullblown meltdowns, crying, accusing Emily of every sin. James helped her move boxes, while Emily tried to stay out of sight.
Finally Margaret left. The flat became spacious and quiet again. Emilys mum stayed in the bedroom, and James and Emily returned to their rightful spot.
It feels good, Emily sighed, lying in her own bed. Finally home.
Mums upset, James said, staring at the ceiling. She says she wont talk to me anymore.
Dont worry. Shell come around.
What if she doesnt?
You made the right call. Were husband and wife, we should be together.
I know, but I feel sorry for her. Shes really alone.
Then visit her more often. Help out, but we live separately.
James nodded.
A week passed. Margaret didnt call. James dialed her number, but she didnt answer. He grew uneasy.
Emily, should we go see her?
Go ahead. Ill stay with Mum.
He returned two hours later, looking worried.
Shes looking terrible. Shes lost weight, cant sleep, wont eat.
Maybe shes manipulating?
I dont know. She looks genuinely ill.
Emily thought.
James, I get that its hard for you, but we cant bring her back in here.
I know. I just dont know what to do.
What about hiring a carer? Someone to come three times a week, cook, clean?
Thats pricey.
Cheaper than tearing our marriage apart.
James agreed. They found a middleaged woman who, for a reasonable fee, would visit Margaret three times a week. Margaret accepted it, still not speaking to Emily but chatting with James. He visited every Saturday, helped with shopping and small repairs.
Emilys mum recovered and, after a month, moved back into her own flat. The house felt roomy again.
Its great, Emily hugged James. Were finally alone.
Yeah, thanks for standing up for us, he said, pulling her close. Sorry I didnt protect you sooner.
The important thing is you did the right thing eventually.
I love Mum, but I love you more. Youre my priority now.
Emily smiled. The whole thing had been messy, and the echoes would linger, but Margaret showed up at family gatherings now, though coldly. She never forgave Emily for the hallway incident, but the fighting stopped.
Six months later Margaret called Emily out of the blue.
Emily, its me.
Hello, Margaret.
I I wanted to apologise for the hallway thing. For everything.
Emily was stunned.
Thank you for saying that.
I was scared youd forget me. I thought if I didnt live with you, youd disappear from my life.
Margaret, James loves you. Hell never forget you. But we all need our own space.
I understand. Im sorry.
Emily smiled, feeling the tension finally ease, and whispered that they were all moving forward together.
